Hosanna Restoration Church

“I am not complaining, I am just pointing out what I think!” Have you ever made this statement in these or perhaps a little different words? Well we should start by taking comfort in the fact that this did not disqualify them, there were still referred to as followers! At the same time, we should take note that they made quick arrangements to put an end the complaining and that the people they chose had to be of good reputation and full of wisdom and the Spirit. (Note to self: put an end to complaining!)

It takes wisdom to recognize complaining, because it is a sneaky thing. It can easily disguise itself as wisdom and convince the speaker that it is straight from God. Hence the need to be full of the Spirit in order to discern what is God and what is not. I believe the Apostles recognized that this was not just about food for the women. They saw that this was a slippery slope that could lead the whole group to destruction. That is why they wanted to be sure that the people who handled it would not be easily taken down the same slope. They probably remembered well the story of what happened when Moses went up the mountain and the complaining people took Aaron on the road to idolatry.

We also know that God anointed and empowered them to do far more than wait on tables, but it was because they were willing to take that assignment that the power came upon them. They did not complain; they jumped at the opportunity to serve.

For today, the question is, “Are we followers or complainers?” Are we more determined to follow God than we are to have our own way? Remember, these earlier followers did not have a Bible that they could study. They simply believed the good news and joined a group of people who were followers of the truth. They were limited in what they knew, so when men like Stephen came to serve them, they got more than just their share of supplies, they also were exposed to the truth. It may have been as simple as telling them, there was no need to complain; all they had to do was ask. It seems to me that Jesus mentioned this very thing.

Taking this into consideration, how many of our prayers are asking and how many sound more like complaining? Do we know God well enough to know that He knows the difference and that we would do well to grow in this area so that we will know the difference too?

How long would it have taken for this minor complaining about an equal share to have turned into people simply walking away mad? No doubt some did walk away anyway but it was not the fault of the leaders, they did their best to remedy the problem. It is amazing how people can be going along so well, and then something comes up that tempts them to question and complain and the next thing you know they are convinced that they have been shorted and it must be someone else’s fault. Remember, it is difficult to continue following if we get caught up in complaining. Be full of the Spirit and wisdom and recognize what it the good, perfect, and acceptable will of God.